Real Madrid 3-1 Malaga: Ronaldo and James lift Madrid without Modric and Bale

Injuries plague Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti's men face daunting task in remaining games.

Modric and Bale out, Ronaldo missed penalty and James scored a stunner.

Real Madrid played a game that ended with no benefits for the Blancos' after Luka Modric and Gareth Bale was forced to substitution. 

Victory meant that the tables remained constant after Barcelona overcame Valencia 2-0.

Real Madrid couldn't make a bright start into the game with Gareth Bale injured in the second minute. Substitute Chicharito added something to the game with a teriffic header that tested Kameni's athletic feat.

However, the deadlock was broken when Ramos nodded into the net from a Ronaldo free-kick. The Portugese assisted Ramos in a wonderful freekick, only for the free standing Spaniard to tap home.

Kameni was called into action for the second time. James scored a half volley 22 yards away, only for the Malaga shot-stopper to make a tremendous save.

But the highlight in the first half was when Cristiano Ronaldo nutmegged Sergio Sanchez with a spectacular chop.

Real Madrid missed Luka Modric in the second half and Illara was introduced.

Madrid made a spectacular move then. Ronaldo produced a wonderful backheel pass to Chicharito who returned the ball back to Portugese. Cristiano dribbled down two before passing to James who was fouled inside the penalty area.

However, to add more agony, Ronaldo hit the resulting penalty into the bar. 

The second goal was a genius move from James, Ronaldo and Isco. James played a one-two with Isco and then another with Ronaldo who slid a pass for the Colombian to score a stunning curl shot.

Just minutes later, Pepe watched in agony how Juanmi scored a free header to bring Malaga back into the game.

Ronaldo eagerly waited for his chance and it came in the 92nd minute. Pepe cleared a ball which Chicharito controlled excellently to assist Ronaldo who scored his 50th goal this season with a tap-in.

The last kick of the game produced another clear-cut chance. Isco delivered a ball for Chicharito who passed to James. The Colombian returned the ball for Portugese who failed to score into the free net.

La Liga: Madrid look to close in on Barcelona with win against Malaga.

 

Real Madrid: 73, Barcelona: 75

Loss can never be justified in the last weeks of a dramatic season.

Real Madrid host Malaga this Saturday to ensure they remain in the title race. Real Madrid lie two points behind Luis Enrique's Barcelona who take on Valencia later today.

Carlo Ancelotti, who has insisted in midweek that Real Madrid may not offer an extension if things go worse at the end of the season, will look to put off weight from his shoulder with a win. 

The match is one final test before the highly awaited Champions League reverse fixture against Atletico Madrid. With seven games left in the league, Real Madrid hope Valencia will stun Catalans at Camp Nou.

With Casillas starting at goal, Real Madrid look for a stable defence and a momentous attack.

                                                           Casillas

  Carvajal---------------------Varane-----------------------Ramos-------------------------Marcelo

                         Modric--------------------Kroos----------------------James

                       Isco------------------------Benzema------------------Ronaldo

Bale should be dropped and Isco should start at right flank. Ronaldo must come down from the box and swap from an attacker to a winger. Real Madrid must practise their old-fashioned counter attacking football.

If Real Madrid win and Barcelona draw, then both teams lie 76 points and Real lead at head-to-head basis. If both teams win, then things remain same. If Real draw or lose, then league may be declared over. 

The match is expected to start at 20:00 CET at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The live coverage will be availabe in Bein Sports, SkySports, Canal+.                           

Match Report: Atletico Madrid 4-0 Real Madrid: Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid were the broken pieces of puzzles.

 

Defensive errors and lack of attacking mind led to stunning defeat.

Real Madrid had just two shots in 90 minutes.

Real Madrid were sent with agony last night with a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Left without Ramos, Marcelo, Pepe and James, Real Madrid didnt get the grip both in attacking and defending.

In a dry pitch that was unwatered, Atletico completely had the possesion and attacking tips. Their defenders was well kept, denying Ronaldo and Benzema and the midfield performed at its highest. The attacking duo was unstoppable throughout the night and Real's back four without Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo seemed useless.

If any credits went to any Madrid player, it was Kroos. He played his natural game with good crosses and passes and with defends all over the park.

Atletico struck their first from a Tiago strike which went easily through Casillas. Casillas was wasteful throughout the night, unable to catch-hold of a ball.

The lead was doubled after four minutes with a fantastic overhead kick from Saul Niguez who was assisted by Griezmann.

The game was then a bit stable but Madrid couldn't get the better of Moya and the defense.

The lead was increased further with Griezmann tapped in a from a Varane error. The defender could have smashed the ball for a corner instead of leaving it for Griezmann.

The last one came from Mandzukic with a poor marking from Nacho and Varane leading the Croatian make a diving header.

With loss, Madrid a point top of Barca if they win over Athletic Bilbao.    

Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid: Whites look to round off two goal chase in a high class test

  

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Real Madrid aggregate.

Real Madrid must either give it all or forgetting the treble.

If Madrid really is the best club in the world, they must prove it tonight. Carlo Ancelloti's greatest match as a Whites' coach may be tonight.

Fresh from Balon d'Or win, Cristiano Ronaldo must be giving his personal best with his new specially designed silver-gray Mercurial. Meanwhile, Ramos must be aware of a card and Pepe must do his best.

Marcelo and Carvajal has got the wingback job. Isco, James and Kroos; definitely, the midfield option tonight. And finally Benzema should recall his form at the month of October and Bale must be ready to playmake rather than going for something himself.

Atletico, meanwhile may be going for something simple. Having a two goal lead is something like drinking coffee of a hundred bucks. 

Defend hardest, Score in set-pieces, and repeat .

Defending is also important for Real. One more goal for Diego Simeone would make him decide for tactics against Barca in next round.

Real Madrid last 5 games:

W W L L W

Atletico Madrid last 5 games:

W W W W W

The match will start at 20:00 CET at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

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Match Preview: Madrid look to bounce back after three successive defeats

  

World champions look for first triumph after Morocco success.

MADRID - Real Madrid look for first win in calender year.

Carlo Ancelotti would look to forget last week's nightmares with a win against Catalonia based-Espanyol. Real Madrid are currently on a losing streak losing two excluding a friendly against AC Milan held at Dubai.

The start hasn't been bright for Los Blancos' since their Club World Cup victory back on Dec 10. The win against San Lorenzo, thanks to Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale, took Whites to their 22nd win in all competitive fixtures.

Madrid then paid a trip to Dubai to play a friendly against AC Milan. Real lost the friendly 4-2. But ,however, Cortiba, the team which holds most competitive wins in a row(24), said that the loss wasn't considered.

Yet, Real Madrid lost their next game in a packed Mestalla stadium against Valencia. The defeat ended Madrid's winning streak. The loss was followed by another: against Atleti. 

Madrid would look to turn around their poor form with a victory against Espanyol.

The game would be played at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for the first time since the 4-0 win against Ludogorets Razgrad at 16:00 CET.

Real Madrid's Last 5 games:

W W W L L  

Espanyol's last 5 games:

W W W L L 

Navas: Stay focused and keep up 100% win record in CL.

"VICTORY IS CELEBRATED"

The Costa Rica international reminds his team to stay focused.

Real Madrid goalie Keylor Navas wants his team members not to slip the record 19th win after closing out 2014.

Former Levante and La Liga-goalkeeper of the previous edition has warned his teammates to guard themselves from losing after they start to extend their win run after winter break.

Real Madrid have enjoyed a wonderful season to date after a poor start. The Whites' lost three of their first six games and also suffered back to back defeats against Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid. But Los Blancos' responded then by winning the next 19 games setting a new record.

"We must stay 100% focused and cannot make mistakes.We must be prepared to close out. We are delighted to keep winning and its celebrated".

Navas hasn't played much for Real this season but he likes to keep his mouth shut."It's a dream here. I always want to win titles and its good here. I want to commit and contribute for team. I know road is hard, but there will be barriers, and I will work hard".

"I ask Bale to score and get assists" - Ancelotti

  

"Running is no problem for Bale".

The Italian has shut reporter's mouth after questioning Bale's form this season.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hit back at reporters after the Italian was asked on Bale.

The ex-PSG coach  said that Bale knows to "run" and he didn't want to explain more to the Welshman. Bale came to the Spanish capital last season for a record 100-million and Ancelotti said that Bale knows how important it is to work hard and to get a starting place in XI.

Isco is currently in starting XI for Bale. And the Spaniard has been in impressive form this season. However, Ancelotti has said that he wants goals and assists from Bale and also said that rotation would take place in the squad.

"I ask Bale to score and get assists and do what he did last year. Running is no problem for Bale. I dont have to tell him like others. They knew it".

"If someone has to be left out to give up a place for Bale, I'll tell him it's nothing definitive. Rotation is normal at this time.Whoever doesnt play tomorrow, will play next game."

Ancelotti also expressed that his side wont change plans against Rayo. He also said that he just don't like such teams.

"I don't like teams that change their ideas against some opponents. Rayo are a great example of Spanish football," he added.

"I'm worried that there are too many compliments. That means that, when things aren't going well, there will be too much criticism. The season is very long."

Granada 0-4 Real Madrid : James stars in Real rout.

  

 Real Madrid move top of La Liga with 4-0 win over the Andalusian side.

 James, Cristiano and Benzema displayed five-star performance in Real's win.

Real Madrid crashed Granada 4-0 to bag 11th consecutive win in all competitions. The win kept them top of table at least for 24 hours if Sevilla wins their match.

Real had a bright start with Carvajal reclaiming a lost ball from his foot to pass to Benzema. The Frenchman assisted to Ronaldo who struck a beautiful shot into the bottom corner in the second minute.

The game was completely in Real's control then. Just before half time, James scored a wonderful dipping shot into the net. Real Madrid got a throw-in which James threw to Benzema. The striker lobbed into the Colombian who dipped the shot giving Roberto no chance to get a hand on it.

Real Madrid got the third off Benzema's legs. The Frenchman passed to Ronaldo who passed it to the former with a neat backheel. The Frenchman completed a neat finish to make it 3-0.

The last goal came when Benzema passed the ball to Arbeloa. The Spaniard passed to Ronaldo who could have scored a tap-in, but instead he could just manage a scramp into the ball which James scored 2 yards from goal.

The win kept them top of table after Barcelona slumped to a 1-0 defeat. If Sevilla wins tonight, Madrid will go down one point to Sevilla. But if Sevilla drew level or lose their game, Real will top league after week 10.

"If Suarez plays or not, we won't change our plans"- Ancelloti

"SUAREZ WON'T RUIN OUR PLANS"

"If Suarez plays or not, We stick to our plans" - Carlo Ancelloti

Carlo Ancelloti is confident that his plans would work even if Suarez plays or not and also praised the partnership of Messi and Neymar.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti refuses to make a tactical change in order to stop Luis Suarez's atack.

The Uruguayan striker is set to return after serving a four-month ban from football for biting Giorgio Chiellini in their Group D World Cup encounter. However, the Italian has said that his side won't lose due to Suarez's influence.

"If Suarez plays or not, we won't change our plans. His appearance won't cause us problems" Ancelloti said in a press.

The Real Madrid boss also likened the patnership of Messi and Neymar and described them as "dangermen".

"Defending against Messi and Neymar is hard. We know we have defects like everyone. But it is easy against Barca, at least we know them well".

Real Madrid lie fourth in the league heading to Barcelona. A win would put them a point shy of the Catalans and a lose would highly cost them and drag them 7 points behind Luis Enrique's men. 

Sergio Ramos and Pepe are expected to be fit according to the Italian.